Bayern München missed out the chance to reach the DFB Cup final despite going in front, having a higher number of chances and a man advantage in extra time. The record champions lost 3-1 after penalties to Borussia Dortmund, with none of Bayern’s four takers able to find the back of the net from the spot. One of those was Philipp Lahm, who fired Bayern’s first penalty over the bar. DFB.de spoke to the World Champion and the FCB captain about his missed penalty and the effects that the defeat will have on their Champions League semi-final against FC Barcelona.
Question: Mr Lahm, what were you lacking in the semi-final?
Philipp Lahm: We had the game under control for large parts but missed the chance to score at the crucial times.
Question: And then came the slips from yourself and Xabi Alonso in the penalty shootout.
Lahm: Yes there are definitely better moments to slip than in a penalty shootout. But that doesn’t help. We had chances before that to put the game beyond doubt. And luck always plays a part in a penalty shootout. But we aren’t going to complain and we’ll keep going.
Question: Were the team lulled into complacency a little by Dortmund?
Lahm: No, we had great opportunities to go further in front and win the game. Even at 1-1, we still had chances to win the game but we couldn’t take them. Then the game went to penalties and we know that anything can happen.
Question: Do you fear that the result will have an impact on the Champions League semi-final with FC Barcelona next week?
Lahm: No because it’s a different competition and therefore I’m not worried about that. But we have to digest what happened. Our goal was to reach the cup final and we haven’t done that.
Question: Has the importance of the Champions League increased now?
Lahm: We have a huge task in front of us in Barcelona and it won’t be an easy game. We still have the chance to reach a final in Berlin and we want to do that.
Question: Is it a case of now more than ever?
Lahm: No it’s not and this defeat won’t have any long-term effects. But when you get so close then you want to get to the final, whether it’s in the cup or in the Champions League.
Question: You’ve already won one title, what would another one mean?
Lahm: It’s always special – you don’t just win the title easily. There are 34 games and it’s definitely the hardest to win and the most rewarding because you play the most games. You have to play consistent football and we have done that. Then it’s always nice if you end up at the top at the end of the season.
Question: Will you take it easy on Saturday against Bayer Leverkusen or will you use the game as a warm up for Barcelona?
Lahm: I don’t know. It’s the manager’s decision as he has the most experience. I have played three games in a week and this one 120 minutes. We’ll see how things go on Friday and Saturday.
Question: Could fitness be a deciding factor come the end of the season?
Lahm: Even though Arjen (Robben) got injured again yesterday, other players are coming back or have already returned to the squad. That’s good. And what’s important is that we have already won the league. That’s definitely an advantage.
Question: Would it be a good season if you ended with just the league title?
Lahm: When you get so close then you want more. We are professionals and want to win titles. We have one and that’s very, very important. I don’t know whether it’s a good season or a very good one. We can talk about it after it ends.
Question: Could the Champions League make the difference?
Lahm: We are already one of the best four teams in the tournament, you can’t forget that. But we know how hard it is to win the Champions League.
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Bayern München missed out the chance to reach the DFB Cup final despite going in front, having a higher number of chances and a man advantage in extra time. The record champions lost 3-1 after penalties to Borussia Dortmund, with none of Bayern’s four takers able to find the back of the net from the spot. One of those was Philipp Lahm, who fired Bayern’s first penalty over the bar. DFB.de spoke to the World Champion and the FCB captain about his missed penalty and the effects that the defeat will have on their Champions League semi-final against FC Barcelona.
Question: Mr Lahm, what were you lacking in the semi-final?
Philipp Lahm: We had the game under control for large parts but missed the chance to score at the crucial times.
Question: And then came the slips from yourself and Xabi Alonso in the penalty shootout.
Lahm: Yes there are definitely better moments to slip than in a penalty shootout. But that doesn’t help. We had chances before that to put the game beyond doubt. And luck always plays a part in a penalty shootout. But we aren’t going to complain and we’ll keep going.
Question: Were the team lulled into complacency a little by Dortmund?
Lahm: No, we had great opportunities to go further in front and win the game. Even at 1-1, we still had chances to win the game but we couldn’t take them. Then the game went to penalties and we know that anything can happen.
Question: Do you fear that the result will have an impact on the Champions League semi-final with FC Barcelona next week?
Lahm: No because it’s a different competition and therefore I’m not worried about that. But we have to digest what happened. Our goal was to reach the cup final and we haven’t done that.
Question: Has the importance of the Champions League increased now?
Lahm: We have a huge task in front of us in Barcelona and it won’t be an easy game. We still have the chance to reach a final in Berlin and we want to do that.
Question: Is it a case of now more than ever?
Lahm: No it’s not and this defeat won’t have any long-term effects. But when you get so close then you want to get to the final, whether it’s in the cup or in the Champions League.
Question: You’ve already won one title, what would another one mean?
Lahm: It’s always special – you don’t just win the title easily. There are 34 games and it’s definitely the hardest to win and the most rewarding because you play the most games. You have to play consistent football and we have done that. Then it’s always nice if you end up at the top at the end of the season.
Question: Will you take it easy on Saturday against Bayer Leverkusen or will you use the game as a warm up for Barcelona?
Lahm: I don’t know. It’s the manager’s decision as he has the most experience. I have played three games in a week and this one 120 minutes. We’ll see how things go on Friday and Saturday.
Question: Could fitness be a deciding factor come the end of the season?
Lahm: Even though Arjen (Robben) got injured again yesterday, other players are coming back or have already returned to the squad. That’s good. And what’s important is that we have already won the league. That’s definitely an advantage.
Question: Would it be a good season if you ended with just the league title?
Lahm: When you get so close then you want more. We are professionals and want to win titles. We have one and that’s very, very important. I don’t know whether it’s a good season or a very good one. We can talk about it after it ends.
Question: Could the Champions League make the difference?
Lahm: We are already one of the best four teams in the tournament, you can’t forget that. But we know how hard it is to win the Champions League.
